How much does it cost to mail a CD via USPS?

Question

I tried to mail an envelope weighing 1.1 ounces, measuring 9.5" x 5.5" x 0.1" thick, containing 1 CD and 1 sheet of paper with an $0.86 stamp ($0.66 for the weight, and $0.20 for the non-machinable surcharge due to the rigid object). The mail was returned to me for "insufficient postage". I hand-carried it to the post office that returned it (at 5900 Barclay Dr., Alexandria, VA) and asked the employee why it was returned. She said that since it contains a CD, it needs to ship at parcel rate. I found this puzzling, since Netflix and many other companies mail CDs at First Class letter rates. I told her that $0.86 is the postage price given to me by the automated postal center machine in the lobby for this particular envelope, given its size, weight, and rigidity. She said, "Oh, that machine doesn't know about mailing a CD." When she could see that I didn't believe her, she turned to another employee (who had been listening to the whole conversation) and asked, "How much to mail a CD?". That other employee also said, "It has to be mailed at parcel rate." Are all these USPS employees correct?

Answer 1

Actually, you are correct. The first thing that needs to be established is what the processing category is. In this case, it meets the size criteria for a Letter. After the processing category is determined, THEN you determine if it is machinable or Non Machinable. In this case, being rigid, it is non machinable.



Therefore, it is Postage + Non Machinable Surcharge. DMM 101.1 spells this out. It seems that they are looking at the machinability first, instead of processing category.



Tell them that you wish to appeal their ruling and ask that the clerks, or the Supervisor, talk to the Business Mail Entry Unit in Alexandria or Mailing Requirements. Definitely, do not pay a Parcel rate because it is in no way a Parcel.



As far as Netflix being handled differently, those and Blockbuster DVDs are commonly held out but, run separately, exclusive of other mail matter. The barcodes need to be scanned into the system. I am going to assume that the article is about the lawsuit that GameFly filed against USPS for this. GameFly sends a slightly padded, much larger piece that is classified as a Flat, instead of a Letter like Netflix/Blockbuster. GameFly pieces are also run on a machine so the barcode can be scanned.

Answer 2

Usps Nonmachinable Surcharge

Answer 3

Cd Mailing Envelopes

Answer 4

Netflix disks are handled differently than are all other disks:



"Movie rental service Netflix appears to be the postal service's biggest DVD mailer customer, the court said. The service processes Netflix DVDs by hand and with specially designated containers."



So yes, your disks will need more protection. Normal machine processing as mail (rather than as packages with sufficient protection) would destroy most or many disks, as I saw when I was a USPS Mail Processing Equipment Technician.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

How much does it cost to mail a CD via USPS?

I tried to mail an envelope weighing 1.1 ounces, measuring 9.5" x 5.5" x 0.1" thick, containing 1 CD and 1 sheet of paper with an $0.86 stamp ($0.66 for the weight, and $0.20 for the non-machinable surcharge due to the rigid object). The mail was returned to me for...

Answer 6

i would use the bubble wrap and use a envelope for the size of the dcd if the person does not wan to buy the insurance it is his problem not yours

Answer 7

Yes. It needs to go at the parcel rate because it is rigid. It is hand sorted and does not go through the machines like regular envelopes do. The USPS has actually tried to machine cd packages - like Netflix - and they were always damaged in the process. So rigid mail is not machined. The price would vary depending on where it is coming from and where it is going to. You can go through the pricing process at USPS.com. It will guide you through the questions and give you a price.

Answer 8

This is not true. You add 21 cents to the envelope as a non machinable surcharge. It sounds pretty ridiculous to me to send it parcel rate for almost triple the price.

Answer 9

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/avnou



Media Mail (for any cd/dvd/book/etc) would be around 1.50, first class could be around 2.50, and priority (2-3 days) would be around 3.50.